Given only to areas of outstanding natural beauty and significance such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon this award is made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. An amazing 185 million years of Earth History spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods is displayed in just 95 miles of the coastline of Dorset and East Devon.

Sailing and Windsurfing Venue for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

When it comes to sailing, the waters in Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay are recognised as the best in Northern Europe and along with the development of the new purpose built on-shore National Sailing Academy www.wpnsa.org.uk the area was selected as the venue for the Olympic sailing events when London www.london2012.com hosted the Games in 2012.